BROWNSVILLE—In recent months, Brownsville churches have seen marked growth in spiritual decisions made in a largely unreached community.
Josh Newton from Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas teaches children during a Vacation Bible School session in Brownsville. (BGCT PHOTOS/Courtney Wilmoth)
|
In March, Texas Baptist churches in Brownsville recorded 77 spiritual decisions, and 19 households pledged to become hosts to house churches, said Osvaldo Lerma, regional coordinator for Texas Baptist River Ministry.
Since then, churches have stayed busy discipling new converts and continuing outreach, added Lerma, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Filadelfia in Brownsville, who noted he has witnessed God's faithfulness.
Before the missions work in March commenced, significant spiritual preparation took place involving churches in Brownsville and a visiting team from Primera Iglesia Bautista of Fort Worth, coordinated by Texas Baptist River Ministry.
Texas Baptists support the ongoing work of River Ministry through gifts to the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions and support for the Cooperative Program.
As a consequence of the spiritual groundwork laid in advance, God brought about divine appointments, Lerma observed.
He cited contact with Martha Hilda, who recently survived a horrific car accident that killed her mother and close friend.
Members of Primera Iglesia Bautista in Fort Worth were visiting women in the area where Hilda lived.
Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays
Local residents pointed her out to the church members, and consequently, they contacted her.
Since her accident, she has been "hungry for God," they learned, and the group was able to begin ministering to her regularly.
Hilda gets around on a walker, even doctors told her she never would be able to walk again after the wreck.
Josh Newton of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas leads activities during VBS in Brownsville.
|
She never was supposed to be able to carry on a conversation again, but she shares her story with those who will listen.
Although her entire left arm is constructed of titanium, she has full use of it.
"If you had asked me before my accident if I was ready to die, I would have said, 'Yes.' Now, I am not ready. Now, I know my life has a purpose," Hilda said.
Hilda's entire lifestyle has changed. She insists she is not angry about the accident and what it took from her. She believes God has a purpose in all of it.
"I know God is there for us. No matter the problem or the time, he's there," Hilda said.
"It's amazing to see how God is moving in her circle of influence," Lerma said.
In recent weeks, River Ministry focused on the children of the community. Iglesia Bautista Filadelfia partnered with Park Cities Baptist Church of Dallas to conduct four Vacation Bible Schools across Browns-ville—two in apartment complexes, one in a rundown housing community and another in the small home of a church member.
Ministry to children makes an impact on their mothers, who stay nearby during VBS, Lerma noted.
VBS allows the children to be watched, cared for and taught about Jesus, while the adults in the church can minister to their moms.
At each of the four VBS locations, children learned stories about Jesus, memorized Scrip-ture, made a craft, ate a snack and were allotted time to play games with their new Dallas friends.
Haydee Mata held a VBS in her home and on the last day was able to witness all the children come to know Christ.
Mata also ministered to her next-door neighbor, who eventually made her way to the VBS and heard the Bible stories.
At the VBS held in the housing community, three women made professions of faith in Christ while Park Cities young people ministered to their children.
Members of Iglesia Bautista Filadelfia understand the importance of reaching out to their community, Lerma noted. Rather than placing emphasis on getting people to church, they focus on taking Jesus to the people.
"Things are just beginning to roll. There will be an explosion in the next months or years of Christians," Lerma said with certainty.
"God is just looking for obedient people, and he will do the rest."
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.